Arcade is an oasis for blossoming shop trade
FIVE years ago Accrington’s Victorian Arcade was left with nine empty units after traders moved out of the Grade II-listed building and one major retailer downgraded from six units to one.
But now the Arcade is a major success story for the town with, in a major reversal of the shopping centre’s fortunes, every unit filled as of this month, as we exclusively revealed in last week’s Observer.
A host of new traders have taken on units in the Warner Street arcade since April, and for many this is their first step into the world of high street trading.
Elaine George was one of the first newcomers to set up shop in the Arcade, joining incumbent residents Grandma’s Victorian Kitchen, Y&K Boutique and Choices Furniture in April.
Elaine, 46, from Accrington, decided to launch her own gift and sweetshop - ‘ Fifi’s Gifts’ - after her home business making ‘chocolate bouquets’ became successful.
She said: “I was just working from home, so it was a little bit of a hobby, but it got bigger and I needed a premises, and I have never looked back. I absolutely love the arcade. When I first came the footfall was OK, but it’s doubled since then if not more.”
Elaine and her 18-yearold daughter Abbie are now getting ready to expand and open a craft shop ‘ Cre-8-ive Crafts’ in the next-door unit, which will be a local supplier and run workshops.
Thomas Michaela and George Fisher run a custom tattoo studio ‘ One Blood Tattoo’ specialising in freehand lettering, that opened on June 1.
Thomas said: “Business is good, everybody wants tattoos. Every day it’s got busier. I saw the building and approached Tariq because I wanted to be a part of this. I believe in the place, it’s got a really good vibe. It feels like home.”
Trader Sandra Lee runs a ‘ Build-A-Bear’ workshop in the Arcade, and is also preparing to move into fancy dress supplying.
She said the strong connection she had with the building inspired her to take up one of the units.
Sandra said: “When I was little my family used to bring me every Saturday to this cafe and I always said when I retire I want a shop here.
“It was always my dream to have a shop in the arcade in Accrington. I am not leaving this shop now I’ve got it.”
Karen Everleigh and her son Mark are some of the old guards of the Arcade, with their cafe Grandma’s Victorian Kitchen open for 18 months.
They say that after some difficult times they have decided to expand the business and opened ‘ Grandad’s Coolies’ next door on July 15 to specialise in smoothies and milkshakes.
Karen said: “We were here in the quiet times and we stuck it out because of the building, that’s why I took the cafe. We used to come shopping in the arcade when I was a kid.
“Now it’s getting there after a long fight. It’s 100 per cent better than what it was. We are getting customers coming in and saying how nice it is to come back to the cafe. We haven’t had any negativity. ”
Accrington resident Anthony Mabbutt launched his record shop Linyl Vinyl Records in the arcade at the beginning of June.
The 57-year-old said: “I used to have a shop above Warner Street but didn’t get the footfall. The Arcade is my favourite building in Accrington, I’ve always liked it. When I saw that the place was filling up, and there is a lot more footfall I decided to get in on it.
“It was an opportunity not a risk. It’s been my lifelong dream to have a place like this.”
The newest traders in the Arcade are Lindsey Condon and Andrew Campbell, who confirmed their lease on Wednesday, August 10 – just a day after viewing the unit.
The couple, from Rishton, run a baby clothes and accessories business online and from home, but wanted to upgrade to a shop to get a name for their business on the high street.
Andrew said: “We have been searching for our premises for a long time.
“We wanted to be somewhere like this that is on the up and someone is investing in, and unfortunately you can’t say that about anywhere else in the town centre.
“The prices we have been seeing in Accrington are so high, they’re Manchester, Preston prices. There’s no realism there.
“It’s nice to see someone being realistic about things and local business.”
The Arcade is also home to a hairdressers, antique store and florist.